Kapitania (Nia) Funaki is a proud daughter of the vast and storied Pacific, her lineage woven from the sacred lands of Tonga and Samoa. The seeds of her being were sown in the rich soils of Tongoleleka, Hihifo Ha’apai, Kolofo’ou, Nuku‘alofa, and Uafato, Fagaloa—nurtured by the salt-laden breeze, the whisper of ancestral tides, and the wisdom of generations before her. Now rooted in Tāmaki Makaurau, Aotearoa, she carries the resilience of her forebears and the strength of her heritage in every step she takes. With a heart devoted to service and a voice that echoes with purpose, she seeks to uplift, inspire, and ignite change within her community. Guided by the values of alofa, māfana, and faka‘apa‘apa, she walks forward with unwavering resolve—bridging past and present, weaving tradition with transformation, and ensuring the echoes of her ancestors shape the future.